Loose leaf binder



Nov. 5, 1935. F. D. WEDGE 2,020,129

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Oct. 9, 1955 2 Sheets-sheet 1 Fla. 1

5 INNR. FRED D. WEDGE ifit w/ ATTORNEY.

Nov. 5, 1935 F. D. WEDGE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Oct. 9,' 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. F950 0. WEDGE ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 5, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,020,129 Loose LEAF BINDER Fred D. Wedge, Lombard, Ill., assignor to Wilson- Jones Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 9, 1933, Serial No. 692,737 g 15 Claims. (01.129-24) This invention relates to a loose leaf binder, and more particularly to means for opening, closing and locking the sheet retaining prongs of the binder in closed position.

It is an object of this invention to provide simple and eflicient means for moving the prongs of a loose leaf binder to open or closed position and for locking the prongs in closed position. .It is a further object of this invention to provide an end cap pivotally secured to one of the toggle plates and capable of acting 'as a booster lever to perform the above mentioned functions. It is a further object of this invention to provide. longitudinally slidable means for interlocking the meeting ends of the sheet retaining prongs in a loose leaf binder. Other objects of this inventionwill become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying my. invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan View, with parts broken away, showing the binder mechanism in closed position;

Figure 3 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, showing the binder mechanism in open position; v

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line IV--IV of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows; Y

Figure 5 is a top plan view showing a modified embodiment of my invention with the prongs in closed position. I

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the binder mechanism in unlocked position;

' Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view showing the toggle plates in open position;

Figure'8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line VIIIVIII of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows; and V Figure 9 is a top plan view of a modified embodiment of my invention similar to that shown in Figure 5, the binder being provided with a booster lever at one end only. 7

In the drawings the reference numeral 2 indicates a back member having a pair of cover members 3 hingedly connected to its longitudinal edges. A back plate 4 is secured to the back member in any suitable manner. The longitudinaledges 5 of the back plate are curved to embrace the outer edges of a pair of toggle plates 6 arranged onsaid back plate inside by side relation. The inner edges of the toggle plates 6 are maintained in abutting relationship by means of a plurality of buttons I. A plurality of sheet retaining prongs 8 are plurality of slots 28.

secured to the toggle plates 6 in any suitable manner. It is preferable to provide mating prongs that meet at their free ends to form rings, but other prongs may be used if desired. A plurality of sheets 9 may be impaled on the sheet retaining 5 prongs 8. A cover plate i9 has its longitudinal edges I i curved to embrace the edges 5 of the back plate. The cover plate is. provided with a plurality of notches E2 to allow the sheet retaining prongs 8 to pass therethrough.

The ends of the binder mechanism are closed g by a pair of end caps [3 which function as booster levers. The end cap or booster lever 13 is provided with a pair of flanges I 4, l5 which project inwardly toward the binder mechanism and are spaced 16 vertically a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the toggle plates 6. A'pin i6 passing through both flanges M and I5 pivotally secures the end cap to one of the toggle plates 6. The flange |5 is cut away, as indicated at H, to provide 20 clearance for the toggle plate 6 to which it is not pivoted, when the booster lever i3 is in the position shown in Figure 3, so that when the lever is lifted both toggle plates may move to open position. The lever i3 is provided with a finger piece I8 to facilitate manipulation of the lever.

It will be seen that when the prongs 8 are closed, the booster lever i3 may be swung inwardly around the pivot 16 so that the flanges l4 and I5 embrace the ends of the toggle plates 6 and hold them against rocking movement. When the booster lever has been swung to its outermost position the ends of the lever away from the pivot l6 may be lifted to open the prongs or depressed to close them. Since the lever is secured directly to one of the toggle plates, it is always in position for the proper movement of the prongs even though the prongs may have been moved manually. For example, if the booster lever is in its outermost position and the prongs are opened by hand, the lever is automatically moved to the position shown in Figure 4 so that pressure on the lever will close the prongs. It

' is preferred to secure the booster levers l3 at opposite ends of the binder to opposite toggle plates, but this is not essential, and in some cases one booster lever may be sufficient for the entire binder. In binders having only one lever the cover plate lllis extended downwardly to cover the other end of the binder mechanism.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, the toggle plates l9 are provided with a A pair of prong carrying plates 2| are secured to the toggle plates l9 by means of pins 22 that are fixed to the plates 2| case of the preferred embodiment.

and pass through the slots 20 to permit limited longitudinal movement between the plates I9 and 2|. The plates 2| are provided with a plurality of notches 23 at their inner edges to provide clearance for the buttons 3. The sheet retaining prongs 24 are secured to the prong carrying plates 2| in any suitable manner and are shaped to interlock at their meeting ends 25. As shown in Figure 6, the prongs must be moved longitudinally relative to each other before they can be opened.

The opposite ends of the binder are similar, except that the booster lever at one end of the binder is connected to one toggle plate, and the lever at the opposite end of the binder isconnected to the other toggle plate. Accordingly, only one end of the binder will be described. One prong carrying plate 2| is provided with-an irregularly shaped cut out portion 26 having a restricted neck 21 opening at the end ofthe prong carrying plate.

The end cap or booster lever is provided with a finger piece 29 which -may have a roughened area 33. If desired, a finger piece similar to the finger piece l8 shown in the preferred embodiment might be substituted for the finger piece29. The lever is provided with a pair-of flanges 3|, 32 which are adapted to embrace theends of the toggle plates It. One edge of the fiange 3| is cut away, as indicated at 33, to -allow clearance for one toggle plate. The other end of the lever is pivotally secured to the other toggle plate I9 by means of the pin 34.

The flange 3| is provided with an integral extension 35 having anenlarged head 36. The en larged head portion at is positioned in the cut out portion 2%. When the lever is swung outwardly from the position shown in Figure to the operative position shown in Figure 6 the underside of the enlarged head portion engages the restricted neck portion 21 and moves the prong carrying plate 2| longitudinallyof the toggle plate IS. The booster lever may then .belifted .or depressedto open or close the prongs just as in the When it is desired to lock the prongs in closed position the lever 28 is swung inwardly till the flanges 3| and 32 embrace the ends of the toggle plates 11s.

This inward movement causes the top portion of the head 36 to engage the edge of cut out portion 26 of the prong carrying plate 2| .to move it inwardly so that the ends25 of the prongs become interlocked.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, it ispreferred to provide a lever at each end of the binder so that each lever moves one prong carrying plate half the distance required to clear theprong ends. However, the binder may be provided with a. lever at one end only, as illustrated inFigure 9. In this embodiment one prong carrying plate 31 is rigidly secured to one toggle plate 38 by means .of a plurality of rivets 39. The other prong carrying plate 48 is secured to the other toggle plate 4| by means of pins 42 that are fixed to the plate 40 and pass through slots 43 provided in the toggle plate 4|. The slots 43 are long enough to permit the plate 40 to move a suflicient distance to disengage the interlocked ends 25 of the sheet retaining prongs 24. The prong carrying plate 40 is provided with a plurality of notches 44 to provide clearance for the buttons 1. The booster lever 45 and the method of operating it are the same as the booster lever 28 except that the lever 45 isadapted to move the plate 40 .twice the distance each plate 2| is moved. The end of the binder opposite the lever 45 may be closed in any desirable manner.

While I have described a few embodiments of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my'invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In alloose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates and a booster lever pivotally secured to only one of said toggle plates.

2. 9.10088 leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates and a. booster lever secured to one of said toggle plates, said lever normally lying in inoperative position and pivoted to swing in a plane parallel to said one toggle plate to be swung to operative position.

3. In aloose leaf binder, a plurality of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of toggle plates, a booster lever pivotally secured to one of said toggle plates, said lever normally lying ininoperative position, and means integral with said leverto prevent opening of said prongs when said lever is in inoperative position.

4. .In a loose leaf binder, apair of toggleplates,

a plurality of sheet retaining prongs secured to said toggle plates, and a lever pivotally secured to only one of. said toggleplates, said lever being operable to open and close said prongs.

5. Ina looseleaf binder, a plurality of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of :toggle plates, and a 36 lever, said lever being pivotally secured to one of said toggleplates such a manner as to open said sheet retaining prongs when lifted and to close them when depressed.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a plurality of sheet retaining prongs, a pair of toggle plates, a lever pivotally secured to one of said toggle plates, said ,lever being operable to open or close said sheet retaining prongs when said lever is in operative position,'and means to prevent opening of said prongs when said lever is in inoperative position.

7. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates, aplurality of sheet retaining prongs secured to said toggle plates, a booster lever pivotally secured to one of said toggle plates, and a flange on said booster lever, said.flange engaging with said toggle plates to prevent opening of said prongs when said booster lever is in inoperative position.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a ring metal including a backv plate,.a pair of toggle plates, a cover plate positioned above said toggle plates and embracing the edges of saidback plate, and an end cap closing the .end of said ring metal, said end cap engaging-said toggle plates to lock them against opening movement. 60

9. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates,

a pair of prong carryingplates secured to said toggle plates but movable longitudinally relative to said toggle plates, alever secured to one of said toggle plates, said lever being adapted to move 06 one of said prong carrying plates longitudinally, and means on said lever to prevent opening of said toggle plates until said last mentioned prong carrying plate has been moved longitudinally.

10. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates, a-pair of prong carrying plates slidably secured to said toggle plates, a plurality of sheet'retainingprongs rigidly secured to said prong carrying plates, the free ends of said prongs each interlocking with: the free end of one prong of the opsecured to said toggle plates to slide said prong posite prong carrying plate, and booster levers carrying plates to disengage the interlocked ends of said sheet retaining prongs.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates, a pair of prong carrying plates slidably secured to said toggle plates, aplurality of sheet retaining prongs rigidly secured to said prong carrying plates, the free ends of said prongs each interlocking with the free end of one prong of the opposite prong carrying plate, and a booster lever secured to one of said toggle plates, said booster lever being adapted to slide one prong carrying plate longitudinally to disengage the interlocked ends of said sheet retaining prongs and to then open or close said prongs. V

12. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates and a booster lever secured to one of said toggle plates, said lever being pivoted to swing in open and close said prongs, a booster lever having a portion normally lying in the path of travel of said toggle plates to prevent opening movement, and means connecting said booster lever to one of said toggle plates, said means permitting movement of said booster lever out of the path of travel of said toggle plates.

14. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of toggle plates, a plurality of sheet retaining prongs secured to said toggle plates, a booster lever secured to one of said toggle plates, said lever being pivoted to swing to and from operative position in a plane parallel to said one toggle plate, and means to prevent opening of said prongs when said booster lever is in inoperative position.

15. In a loose leaf binder, a ring metal including a back plate, a pair of toggle plates, a cover plate positioned above said toggle plates and embracing the edges of said back plate, an end cap for said ring metal pivotally secured to one of said toggle plates so as to swing in a plane parallel with said one toggle plate, said end cap being engageable with said one toggle plate to act as a booster lever to open and close said toggle plates .in one position, and operable to prevent movement of said toggle plates in another position.

FRED D. WEDGE. 

